Thunder vs Spurs: Pregame Primer
vs.
Thunder (13-16, 6-9 road) vs. Spurs (18-11, 9-4 home)
TV: ABC
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 1:30 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 104.0 (23rd), Spurs – 107.6 (12th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.7 (4th), Spurs – 102.7 (5th)
The Thunder has now lost three of its last four games after a fumbling away a win at home against Portland on Tuesday night. Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard were all kinds of special, combining for 80 points, 16 assists, and 15 rebounds. And today’s point guard matchup may be just as fun as familiar foe Tony Parker squares off against Westbrook on Christmas Day.
Once again, Kevin Durant will sit out with his mild — well, not that mild — you know what, just check back with us later — ankle sprain. This is the fourth straight game KD has missed and at this point who knows when he’s coming back (edit* I feel silly continuously writing something to the effect of maybe next game).
The Matchup
No Kawhi Leonard for the Spurs, who is suffering from a torn ligament in his right hand. Manu Ginobili is questionable with a bruised left shoulder.
Per Darnell Mayberry, Marco Belinelli will start today in place of Kyle Anderson, who had been getting the nod replacing Leonard. This means more shooting and space for the Thunder to guard. Perry Jones will have to use his length and speed to get out to Belinelli and Danny Green.
The Thunder has had as much success as anyone slowing down the Spurs offense with speedy, in-sync rotations with its long-armed wings, and with Durant’s scoring out it’s going to take one of those efforts to deliver the gift of a win.
Reggie Jackson has killed the Spurs in the last calendar year, and is coming off another good showing against Portland. He and Westbrook’s ability to get in the lane and to the rim will have to be on display today. Brooks could stretch their minutes together if the defense we saw in the third quarter against Portland shows up today in San Antonio.
Sure didn’t take long for Jeremy Lamb to get buried huh? I can’t remember a coach having a shorter leash with a player, especially a young player in most need of time on the floor to get in a rhythm. I don’t understand it and probably never will. This isn’t to excuse Lamb, but where would Westbrook be had Brooks yanked him for not staying in front of the ball or turning it over profusely early in his career? Where would this franchise be? I’m obviously not comparing Lamb as a player to Russ, but rather Brooks’ inconsistency in the two cases.
Tuesday’s COTN: “THE ADAMS COLLISON HANDSHAKE” – @Alpha Russ
Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.
Tip at 1:30 CT. Go Santa Russ.
